Automatic cutoff roll



' March 5, 1946. G. F. KLNGMAN AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF ROLL A4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 061'.. l; 1945 9 7, wz 0 f iwi e Mairch 5; 1946.

G. F. K1NGMAN \AUTOMATIC CUT-OFF ROLL Filed Oct. 1, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Geary@ 25M-74? liza March 5, 1946 G. F. KINGMAN 2,396,104

1\.UToMA'TIc CUT-OFF' ROLL Filed oct. 1, 1943 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Mar. 5, 1946 UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC CUTOFF ROLL George F. \Kingman, Bridgeport, Conn., assigner to Raybestos-Manhattan, Inc., Passaic, N. J.,

a corporation of New Jersey Application October 1, 1943, Serial No. 504,635

(Cl. 922-67) f n 1.0 Claims.

Y pulp or slurry is picked up by Va felt, presented V to a make-up rolland thereon accumulated to form a multi-ply sheet or boardof desired thickness, the accumulated material beingthereafter cut off and removed in sheet form. More particularly, the invention relatesr to novel means in combination with amake-up roll for a wet board machine, for automatically cutting and vremoving therefrom accumulated thicknesses of web material.

In conventional practice, after a predetermined thickness of wet web has been built up on the make-up roll of a machine of the class described, the operator who stands facing themake-up roll cutsthe sheet across longitudinally of the roll by inserting a cut-off stick, which he holds in his' hand, into a slot in the make-up rollland runs it quickly across the face of the roll, then grasps the lower edge of'lthe cut sheet and re-A moves it from the roll placing it onto a pile of similar sheets. In the formation of sheets which are relatively narrow or thin, While the operation of the machine may be continuous, the speed of the Vmachine is limited by the time it takes the operator-to go through the motions'cf cutting and taking For sheets which are relatively wide or thick, or both, the machine must be stopped in making this cut, and either one orV two men are necessary' in taking the sheet from the roll and laying it out on a table. As a result of the stopping of the machine, the formation of the web is interrupted and results in poor sheet formation. In such manual operations a considerable amount of dexterity is necessary, and the operations present a continuous hazard to both the operator and to the various portions of the machine including the felt and make-up roll portions.

By providing means for automatically cutting and removing the accumulated thicknesses of wet web from the make-up roll in accordance with the present invention, the operation of cutting is practically instantaneous, and thick and heavy sheets may be handled with as great facility as thin or narrow sheets, the machine may be kept in constant operation and at relatively higher speeds, the necessity for skilled operators and the numbers thereof 'sharply reduced, potential hazards to the operator and portions of apparatus substantially eliminated, and with a gain in rate of production, and therefore with considerable over-all attendant economy.

AIt is `recognized that various automatic or mechanical cut-off ,means have been kheretofore proposed, including cutting means actuated longitudinally, radially, diagonally, `and controlled by various mechanical devices and linkages. However, all such known devices are of complicated construction, frequently get out of order, and as a Whole, haver vheretofore been found unsatisfactory and as a result'have not found commercial acceptance. A

It is an object of the present invention to provide a make-up roll having in combination therewith novel automatic cut-off mechanism of simple but efficient and sturdy construction and wherein the -operation of the knife means Afor severing 'web vaccumulations on the roll is pneumaticall'y controlled and'is positive both in projection and retraction of the knife or similar cutting means.

Other objects relate to the inclusion of automatic timing means for controlling the actuation of the knife when a predetermined thickness of the web is built up on the, make-up roll, and'to the provision of air jets to aid in stripping the severed sheet from the make-up roll.-

Further objects relate to various details `of construction, arrangement of partsand economies thereof which will be apparent from a consideration of the following specification and drawings wherein: 'Y f c Fig. l is a diagrammatic elevation of a'portion of a wet machine illustrating my invention.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation of a portion of the wet machine illustrating particularly one end of the make-up roll and automatic timing i of my improved make-up roll.

Fig. 7 is a transverse section through the 'makeup roll on the line 'l-l ofFig; 6.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of my novel make-up roll and associated cutolf mechanismv and control means therefor.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Fig. 1, which illustrates the make-up roll end portion of a wet machine, the reference numeral I indicates the bed of the machine having a roll Il, the shaft I2 of which is journalled on each end in a bearing I3. A standard I4 on one side, and a similar standard I4 on the other side, rises from the bed I0 supporting a conventional hand wheel and adjustable vertical rod I5 to which there ispiv-oted at I 6 the iioatin'g weighted arm I1. The arm l1'comprises a'semi-cylindrical bearing I8 which embraces the shaft I9 of the make-up roll 20, and the make-up roll 26 is supported on the roll II and is maintained in engagement therewith by means of the `lever 'arm I1 in a manner whereby a make-up roll may move in respect to its supporting .roll '.II 'as 'the illustrated, .bymeans of the felt 22 and presented tto vthe make-up.rol1-2. rEhe composition of this `make-up roll is such that the adhesion between ithe web and the roll is greater than the adhesion :between the web :and the felt, and the pulp will therefore pick-up on the make-up roll. After :the rst 4revolution of the make-up roll the -co- .fhesion between the web and ply already applied to the rollis greater than the adhesion lbetween fthe web and .the fel-t, and the sheet continues lto build up on the make-'up roll to va predetermined .i

thickness. The felt thereafter passes over the :roll II in 'a horizontal directonover the roll 23 VYto facilitate transfer .of the cut sheet to -a fconveyor in front of the machine, not illustrated,

.and thereafter downwardly over a similarroll 24k and returns in lthe indicated direction over .a ilpluralityof rolls 25 to the web-forming apparatus to pick up-additional web in .conventional manner.

.The make-np roll generally indicated by the reference numeral 2.0 comprises a hollow cylin- A'.-drical metallic :shell 26 closed endwise :by "the qheads 2-1, .the latter comprising shafts I9. The ,heads 21 are secured by means of bolts at -28 to transversely extending web portions 29 integral with the inner surface of shell l26. The heads :21 and their vshaft extensions Yare each formed with axial bores 30. The shell 26 isprovidedwith 4a conventional composition surface covering 3| ffor ica-using :adhesion of the web thereto from :t-h'e Aconveyor felt 222, the covering 3i .being 'split .and anchored to the shell portion -26 by .means of the dovetail portions 32 extending into ,grooves A33 adjacent to the longitudinal defining edges .of the elongated slot 34 which extends through the entire thickness of the make-up roll 20, that is, throughithe thicknesses 26 and :31| -thereofgand in a direction radially of the roll :so .fas to @receive and permit passage therethrough of Ltheedge of lthe lknire 35.

The .knife 35 which .may have `Aa blunt, beveled Kor saw-'toothed edge ..;is :supported within the roll f2.0 .bymeans of the pistonrods :36 extendingfrom the air cylinders 31., :and isengaged :atits lower aedge 'by 'means .of the slotted `or bifurcated .menibers 38 which are -,eacli secured @to the outer end portions of ,pistons 36. .Association between the .knife 3,5 `and the :slotted members '38 is affected through pins 39 which .are passed vthrough aperztures in the members"38 and the knife 35 and .locked in place by suitable :means such `ias vIcotter pins 40 extending through transverse apertures in the pins 33.

The air cylinders 31, a pair of which are employed in the preferred illustrated embodiment of my invention, are mounted in longitudinally aligned and spaced relationship within the shell 26 of make-up roll 20 by means of embracing collars 4I ,provided with trunnions 42 which are .received within-brackets-4'3. The brackets 43 are secured by means of bolts 44, which extend through apertures on the end portions of the brackets, into threaded engagement with the ledges formed integral with and rising from the inner periphery of the roll shell portion 26. Thus, while 'the air cylinders 31 and the knife 35, which is Asupported from their piston rods, are al1 securely mounted in position within the interior of the make-up roll, some slight flexibility of construction is provided and freedo-m from possible binding obviated through employ- 'ment of piVoted mountings including the :trunnions 42 through which the cylindersare engaged v `and the pins 39 through Ywhich the .blade .35 .is

engaged to the slottedmembers 38.

The cylinders 31 are ofthe double acting type .and the heads of both of the cylinders are con- .nected together by the line 46. The bases of the cylinders are 4similarly connected together by means of the line 41. .A line 48 extending from the solenoid controlled air Valve 49 and through the axial recess 3U of one kof the heads 21 and integral shaft I9, is connected into line 46. When 'air under pressure is "admitted into line 46 through line 48 the pistons 55 in each of the cylinders simultaneously move downwardly and 'their lpiston rods 36 are drawn vinwardly to re- Ytract the outer edge `of the knife 35 inwardly of the outermost periphery of the roll 20. In a :similar manner, line 50 extends from the solenoid controlled air valve 49, through the 'axial opening 30 in the opposed head 21,.into line 41. Upon .introduction of air under pressure through lines 50 'and 41 to the bases of both ofthe cylinders 31, the pistons of both of the cylinders will be caused to move simultaneously vupwards ycarrying the supported blade 35 outwardly of the -periphery of the roll 20, Aand thereby cut yaccumulations of 'web thereon.

The lines `48 and 50 are provided with flexible .rotatable ball joints 48' and 50" respectively `adjacent the outer ends of the shafts 28, as illus- Atreated in Fig. 8, to provide flexible rotatable connections between-the make-up roll and the :external portions of the air pressure supply lines.

vAir for actuation :of the 'cylinders l31 is supiplied under pressure from the line 5| and enters the solenoid controlled air valve 49, this valve :being a selective multiple passage valve such as a Ross four-way air valve, controlled by solenoid, the solenoid being connected into the electric Ycircuit 52 which includes a switch such as `the microvswitch 53, as illustrated inliig. :8.

normal Voperation lof the make-up roll, that is., .during the period when lthe web is being accumulated thereon, 'the switch V53 remains, or is maintained open, :and the solenoid consequently fie-energized. Under `such condition the `valve 4.19 permits'air to be :introduced from ,line v5I into lines Ml and 46. and tothe heads of the cylinders 131 .so as to .hold Athe blade .3,5 retractedwithin the roll in 1a positive manner by means of .air pressure, .lines-41 'and vZ50 being l.connected through the valve 49 to the exhaust :therefrom 54. When lswitch 53 is closed the Ysolenoid in 'valve 49 is energized and moves the valve to a 'position whereby line 48 isconnected to the exhaust 54 and the air supply line I becomes connected to line to admit air under pressure to the bases of the cylinders 31 and thereby cause the cutting edge of knife 35 to be projectedoutwardly of the periphery of the roll for cutting purposes.

To aid in stripping the severed web from the roll 20, the roll 20 may be further provided with a plurality of apertures 56 extending through the thickness thereof, longitudinally spaced adjacent to the slot 34. These apertures 56 are embraced within the inner periphery of the roll portion 26 by means of a tubular enclosure 65 having end closure and access plugs 66, the chamber 65 being supplied with air through valve 51 and line 58 which is connectedinto line 41. Valve 51 is a self-closing globe valve type, the valve stem 58 thereof being depressible by means of the arm 59.01 Vthe bell crank lever which is pivoted at 6|' to the bracket 62. The valve 51 is actuated by means of the tripper 63, which is secured tov and extends from the lower 'edge of the knife 35 Aas at 64. Thus as air under pressure is introduced to the base of the cylinders 31 through lines 50 and 41 and the knife 35 caused to project outwardly, in'its outward passage the lower angularly bent portion of valve tripper 63 engages the lever'arm 50 to actuate valve 51 and to admit air to the chamber and outwardly therefrom through the orifices 55 against the underside of the leading edge of the severed sheerh 2l on the make-up roll as indicated in Fig. 2. In this connection it will be noted that the outer angularly bent portion of the valve tripper 63, in the retracted position of the knife 35, is spaced a substantial distance from the horizontally eX- tending arm of the bell crank lever 6D. As a result of the lost-motion connection which is thus provided, the knife 35 will be* operative to open the `Valve 51 only when theknife is approaching the extended limit of its stroke, in other words, after severing of the material on the roll 23 is completed, or is substantially completed. Air is thus permitted to act upon the material on the roll 26 only at a time when it will not impair the cutting action of the knife.

The switch 53 may, if desired, be manually actuated by the operator when the accumulated sheet or wet board 2l has reached a desired-or predetermined thickness. On theother hand I also provide automatic switch actuation means in combination with the make-up roll whereby the switch is contacted when the roll 20 has been elevated by reason o-f accumulation thereon of a predetermined thickness of -web material.` This is accomplished by providing a switch actuation member on one of the shafts I9 of roll 2B, such as the stud 61 pro-vided with a tapered contact head at one end and threadably .engaged at the other end into a shaft 19,' and fixed in position by means of the lock nut 38. The switch 53 is mounted on a carriage generally indicated as SS provided with a smooth bore having a longitudinally extending key 1I) in the tubular portion H thereof. The carriage is further provided with a transversely slotted portion 12 whichreceives the internally threaded gauge wheel 13.' Extending through the bore in the carriage isthe threaded member 14 which is engaged by'fthe wheel 13, the member 14 being provided with a groove or keyway 15 to slidably receive the key 10 but to otherwise prevent rotationof the carriage as a unit. Thus by manipulation ofthe gauge to the member 14.

The carriage 69 is mounted as a unit by xedly ,E1 from the knife 35 is such that actuation of the switch 53 by means of stud 61 will be elTected at a point of rotation where the knife 35 can be freely projected Without danger of lcutting the felt 22 and substantially immediately after the felt assumes its horizontal run after leaving the lower roll Il, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

At the commencement of the accumulation of the web on the make-up roll, the roll 20 rests on the roll II, over the felt 22, and the end of stud 61 is in spaced relation to the switch 53.. The switch 53 at the commencement of the operation is adjusted by means of the wheel 13 to a spacing from the end of stud 61 equal to the desired thickness of the sheet or board to be accumulated on the make-up roll. This may be conveniently accomplished by means of the gauged periphery of the wheel 13, the wheel being then locked against further accidental rotation by means of the set screw 11. In operation, when the predetermined amount of web has accumulated at the make-up roll, its shafts become elevated and the stud 61 in its rotation eventually momentarily contacts micro-switch 53 to initiate 'successive outward projection of the knife 35 to Vupon'said roll, meansr within said make-up roll for directing jets of air against vthe under surface of said material adjacent said slot, and a valve controlled by the movement of said knife for admitting 'air to said last named means when the knife is caused to move youtwardly through said slot and thereby assist said knife in stripping said material from said make-up roll.

2. A wet board machine of the type having a hollow make-up roll which cooperates with a pressure roll, said make-up roll being formed with a longitudinal slot, a knife, means for support.- ing said knife within said roll, means for projecting said knife through said slot to cause it to Sever the material which has accumulated upon said roll, a source of fluid under pressure, means within said make-up roll for directing jets of said fluid against the under surface of the said material adjacent said slot, a normally closed valve, and a lost-motion connection between said valve and said knife, whereby when the latter is moved outwardly through said slot, it actuates said valve only as it approaches the limitof its movement to admit said uid to said last mentioned means and in so doing assist said knife in stripping said material from said make-up roll.

3. Akwet board machine of the type having a hollow make-up' roll which cooperates with a pressure roll, saidmake-'up roll being formed with "a .longitudinal slot, 1a knife, lfdou`nleacting, .-fluid mylinders `mounted Within tsaid .make-up troll and having `pistons Vconnected to :said blade adjacent the .opposite tends thereof, fa, source A:of uid :under lpressure, a yvalve 'which `vis .normally aoper- .ative Lto `admit 'said uid to said zcylinders Eto hold said :knife in sa 'retracted position, and *means :which is automatically operative Vwhen the :malterialaccumulating on Asaidfmake-up roll reaches :a predetermined thickness for actuating fsaid vvalve to .admit `said :fluidito :said cylinders to Y ex- Iend :said knife through said .slot to `cause .it 'to sever said material .so that `it lmay be stripped from said Amake-Lupiroll.

.A iwet 'board :machine ofthe type having ia hollow .make-up vroll which fciooperates with a pressure roll, .said make-iup v:roll .being "formed `with la longitudinalsl'ot, "a knife, double-acting zflulid cylinders :mounted within :said makeiup :roll :and having *pistons connected to said iblade adjacent the oppositeends'thereonza source of .fluid under pressure, :a valve which :is vnormally operrative Vto admit said fluid to saidicylind'ers'to hold vsaid Yknife tin :a retracted position, .electric fcircuit meansincluding a switch for actuating said valve, and means Which/,is automatically :operative when the material 'accumulating on said make-up `roll reaches la predetermined thickness for actuating "said switch7 whereby `to operate .said fvalve *to :ad-

mit Hsaid fluid to "said :cylinders Yto :extend said knifethrough saidslot to -rcauseflit to 'sever 7.said '-material so that :the llatter'may be stripped from :saidimakeup roll.

5. A wet board machine kof the type "having `a hollow make-up roll v1which `cooperates :with :a :pressure roll, .said make-up roll :being 1formed with a longitudinal 1slo't,1a knife, double-acting fluid 'cylinders mounted 'within said kmake-up roll 'and having pistons connected to 'said blade 'adjacent the opposite A'ends thereof, a .source Iof "fluid under pressure, a -valve `which is normally operative -to admit :said fluid "to said cylinders to hold said knife Tin a retracted zposition, smeans which Yis 'automatically operative `when lthe ima "terial accumulating =on fsaid make-up yroll attains Ta :predetermined thickness for l.actuating .said -varlve to adm-it said fluid `torsaid cylinders to extend said .knife through :said slot 'to cause il; to sever said material, means -withinssaid make- `up roll 4for directing jets of air against the .under surface of said Imaterial adjacentsaid slot, a second, ynormally-closed valve .to which a supply of .air is controlled by :said first mentioned valve, .and `means controlled -bythe Ymovement of 'saidknifa .as .thelatter is eXtended,.-for opening said vsecond valve to .admit .ail` Ato said second mentioned :means and in .so doing assist said knife in stripping said Lmaterial ,from said .make- .uproll.

6. A wet board .machine of the type having .a lhollow make-up roll which cooperates with a pressure roll, 'said make-up roll being 'formed -with va longitudinal slot, 'a knife, double-acting fluid'cylin'ders mounted within said make-up .roll and having `pistons connected to said blade 'adjacent the opposite endsthereon'a sourceof iiuid ,A under pressure, a valve which is normally operative to admit said `fluid to said ycylinders :to hold said knife ina retracted position, 'means which is automatically operative when 'the 'ma- `terial accumulating on said make-'up roll attains a predetermined thickness for actuating said walve :to admit ysaid :duid `to saidcylindersto extend :said 'knife .throughisaid slot Vto vcause *it ito :sever said material, :means within .said make-up :roll :for :directing jets fof fair :against "the :under :surface of 4said lmateriali adjacent :said slot, 7a sec- .0nd, normally-.closed valve to whicha vsupply foi" :air jis controlled 1by said vfirst 'mentioned valve,

Ithe limit 'of such movement to admit -air to said last ymentioned `means and in so doing assist said knife rinstripping said material from said makevup roll.

7. A wet boardm'achine fof :the type having :a 'hollow make-up yroll which cooperates -with -a pressure roll, said make-.up :roll having a hollow :shaft and being `formed with .a longitudinal slot,

:a knife which is movable Vinssaid fslot tofextended fand retracted ,positions fand which normally -o'c- :cupies the :latter position, fluid-actuated means -within said make-up roll connected to said blade, a source of fluid `under pressure, ya line leading .from ysaid :source xof uid through said shaft :to said fluid actuated means, a valve included 'in said line, electricrcircuit means including a switch which is mounted in fixed relation Vwith respect to said shaft, for actuatingfsaid valve,.andmeans which is automatically operative when the ma'- terial accumulating on said lmake-uprch treaches a predetermined thickness for .actuating .said switch, whereby vto operate said valve v.to admit .uid 'to said supply .line to move fsaid `knife `to :its yextended vposition to cause .it -to V`sever lsaid `material so that the latter maybe stripped from 'said make-up rolL'said last ymentioned means including a radially extending element which "is carried by said Vhollow shaft 'and which vturns with, .the latter, 'the angular relation of said 'element and knife being .suchthat said yswitch maybe actuated only at a time when 'said knife has justy moved past the .position 'at which said 'make-up .roll and pressure :roll actupon said material.

8. A wet board .machine o"f the Vtype .having a lhollow make-up' roll `which ycooperates `.with a pressure roll, said make-up roll having La hollow shaft and being 'formed with a longitudinal slot, a knife which is movable in said `slot =to:eXtended and :retracted Ypositions and Ywhich normally -occupies the ylatter position, fluid actuated `means `within said make-'up roll connected Ito said blade, a source of fluid under pressure, Aa line leading from source through .said 4shaft "to said uid fac tuated means, a valve included in said line, electric circuit means, including a switch, foractuating said valve, means, including 'a gauging lelement, Lfor adjustably supporting said yswitch in iixed relation iwith lrespect to :said make-'up roll,

and an element whichis carried bysaidsha'ft and switch may be actuated only Y'at a time when said `knife has justpassed beyond'the position at which said "make-up Kroll and pressure roll act upon Asaid material.

9. ,A Wet board machine of the "type having A'a hollowlmake-up rollwhich-cooperates witha pressure roll, `said Imake-'upiroll having -a hollow shaft land-being 'formed with 'a longitudinal' slot, aknif'e, double-acting fluid cylinders mountedwlthinsaid make-up roll and having pistons connected to said blade adjacent the opposite ends thereof,

a source of uid under pressure, a valve which is normally operative to admit said fluid to said cylinders to hold said knife in a retracted position, electricrcircuit means kincluding a switch which is mounted in fixed relation with respect to said shaft for actuating said valve', and means which is automatically operative when the material accumulating on said make-up roll attains relation of said element and knife being such that said switch may be actuated only at a time when said knife has just moved past the position at which said make-up roll and pressure roll act upon said material. v

10. A wet board machine of the type having a hollow make-up roll which cooperates with a pressure roll, said make-up roll having a hollow shaft and being formed with a longitudinal slot,- a knife, Vdouble-acting fluid cylinders mountedl V within said make-up roll and having pistons connected to said blade adjacent the opposite ends thereof, a source of fluid under pressure, a line leading from said source through said shaft to said cylinders, a Valve which is normally operative to admit said fluid to said cylinders to hold said knife in a retractedposition, electric circuit means, including a switch which is mounted in fixed relation with respect to said shaft, for actuating said va1ve,a radially extending element carried by said shaft and turning with the latter andbeing automatically operative to actuate said switch when they material accumulating on said make-up roll attains a predetermined thickness, whereby to operate said valve to admit uid to said cylinders to extend said knife through said slot to cause it to sever said material, the angular relation of said element and knife being such l `and means actuated by said knife for opening said second valve, whereby lto directair against said material and in so doing assistsaid knife in stripping said material from said make-up roll.

GEORGE F. KINGMAN. 

